This story is an anchor point for a series of stories set in or near the fictional town of Green Valley, Ohio. The stories are mostly set in the late 1960s to early 1970s with at least one call back to the early 1950s. This was a time when there were only glass and mercury thermometers and rectal temperatures were much more common than today. (Of course the stories take this to an extreme.)

While complete fiction, some of this draws from my experiences in childhood. It does, however, have a lot more rectal temperatures.

The stories will mostly connect back to the Finch and Jones families and “The Trio” of Jenny, Sam, and Sally, although they will not show up for a while.

Some of the stories I have written or planned out:

Back Home: The Last Visit – The families move to Green Valley from New Jersey. Looking for a doctor for the kids brings up old memories for Mary of her last visit with Dr. Burnes. (1968, 1950, and 1952)

Back Home: Jenny Gets Pneumonia – Eighteen year old senior Jenny Finch gets sick and meets Mary's old doctor in the process. (1971)

Back Home: The Mumps – A week long senior trip ends with the Mumps and Valley Health has to scramble to stop the spread. (1971)

Back Home: John’s Fever – One of the teachers from “The Mumps” doesn’t follow up with his doctor. His finance and Dr. Sarah teach him a lesson. (1971)

Tonsil Trouble – A side story technically related through a side character. Eighteen year old Emma Jones has to give up her Christmas break after one too many sore throats. (1973)

Cast:

The Trio and Family

Mary and Todd Finch and their twins Jenny and Sam

Alice and Bill Jones and their daughter Sally

The Finches and the Jones are moving back to central Ohio town of Green Valley for a new job opportunity

Staff at Valley Care

Dr. Sarah Green aka Dr. Sarah

Dr. Kathleen Jones aka Dr. Kate

Dr. Janet Smith aka. Dr. Jan

Nurse Amy – Long time nurse at Valley Care. Was a new nurse the last time Mary went there.

Nurse Lisa – New Nurse at Valley Care. Before heading off to nursing school, she had been a babysitter for the Trio and feels a bit protective of them.